How can I possibly sum up what I have learned in this program? I suppose that I have reflected probably hundreds of times in the course of this program. This program has given me a vision for what technology in education can be. I always knew it could be used to improve instruction and that it had tremendous potential. But I never knew much beyond those vague, general ideas and thoughts.
Years ago I attended a seminar based on Classroom Instruction That Works (Marzano, Pickering, & Pollock, 2001). It was a pivotal learning for me. It both validated what I was already doing in the classroom and encouraged me to go farther. In some ways, the book I read in this program, Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works (Pitler, et al., 2007) sums up what I have gained from this program.
The basis for any implementation of technology is sound instruction that is standards based. Through courses such as EDLD 5306 Concepts of Educational Technology, EDLD 5335 Curriculum Management, and EDLD 5368 Instructional Design a foundation was laid. This foundation was good core instruction and curriculum. This is similar to Response to Intervention (RTI Action Network, 2010), where core instruction is the key.
There were other courses that built on this foundation with specific educational technology. EDLD 5388 Web Development and Design taught me about the importance of an easy to navigate and informative website. Yet I also learned about all the complexities that are behind the scenes. EDLD 5364 Teaching with Technology allowed me to use web 2.0 tools to collaborate on a standards based unit that used constructivist principles and educational technology. And of course, EDLD 5363 Multimedia and Video Technology was engaging but required lots of detail, hard work, and collaboration. I was inspired with the possibilities of multimedia in the classroom.
This final Internship course has made me realize that I really am a facilitator of instructional technology . As I studied the ISTE standards and reflected on the field-based activities, I understood how much of that role I have taken on at my new school assignment this year. It is such a blessing to be at a school that has the technology available to me and my students. Having the complete support of my principal along with the interest and encouragement of the rest of the staff is a wonderful way to end this program. I have the knowledge and the confidence to move forward in my own implementation while training and assisting others on the way.
I can’t reflect on this program without thanking the professors, academic coaches, the IT department, and most of all, my classmates for the support and knowledge they have given me. I am a better educator and person for it. My heartfelt gratitude goes out to all of them.
Three Year Professional Development Plan
I am not planning at this time for any more degree programs such as a doctorate. In fact, being in the final stages of completing this rigorous program, makes it hard to consider what might be next. Educational technology is not just a moving target, it is a rapidly accelerating target. I feel like even now I am barely conscious of all that is available. In order to remain current, I will be taking classes offered by my school district, attending webinars through Digital Directions, and looking out for other learning opportunities.
One of the reasons I wanted to obtain a Masters in Education is to possibly teach at the college level. This is something I will definitely pursue in the next three years. But to be honest, at this time I do not know what, if any, additional training I would need to accomplish that. I have seen classes offered at my local community college offering courses in how to get a certificate for teaching at a community college. So that is a real possibility as an entry-level position.
Finally, I know I want to continue to grow as a technology facilitator and leader. I will seek out opportunities to assist and train other educators in how to implement technology in the classroom. Through my own experiences and learning I will continue to develop as a professional in this area. What training, informal or otherwise, I will need remains to be seen. But make no mistake, I am committed to helping educators harness the power and promise of technology in the classroom.
*Pursuing Masters of Education in Educational Leadership and Technology, Expected date of completion December, 2010.
UCLA Graduate School of Education, 2000
*Advanced Management Program for School Leadership
Los Angeles Unified School District Intern Program, 1995 to 1997
*California CLEAR Credential for Elementary Education
University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 1978 to 1983
*Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies
Occupations in EducationLos Angeles Unified School District, Los Angeles, CA,
Elementary Teacher – Van Deene Elementary School, 2010 to present
*Taught a self-contained 6th grade class as part of a pilot program to return 6th grade classes to elementary campuses.
Intervention Support Coordinator - Dominguez Elementary School, 2009 to 2010
*Developed and implemented a Learning Lab to provide reading remediation to students scoring far below
*Used data to determine eligibility of students and to guide instruction.
*Taught a daily pull out program for the GATE students.
Elementary Math Coach - Bandini St. & Dominguez Elementary Schools, 2006 to 2009
*Instructional coach to improve math instruction of teachers.
*Led staff development trainings, parent education, and district in-services regardingmath instruction.
*Facilitated teachers in gathering and using student data to make instructional decisions
Elementary Teacher - Denker Avenue Elementary School, 1995 to 2006
*Taught California Content Standards in a self-contained classroom.
*Ranked as a “Most Effective” teacher by the Los Angeles Times.
Leadership Experience
Sixth Grade Pilot Program at Van Deene Elementary Schools, 2010 to present
*Selected to participate in pilot program to improve 6th grade student achievement
Administrative Leadership Team at Dominguez Elementary School, 2006 to 2010
*Collaborated with school administrators to improve student achievement and teacher effectiveness.
Lead Science Teacher at Denker Avenue Elementary School, 2004 to 2006
*Responsible for implementation of constructivist science curriculum.
Lead Teacher at Denker Avenue Elementary School for L.E.A.R.N, 1999 to 2001
*Leadership position in school site reform effort involving all stakeholders.
Lead Teacher at Denker Avenue Elementary School for L.A.-S.I., 1997 to 1999
*Participated in the Los Angeles Systemic Initiative in Math and Science to improve math and science instruction.
Road Manager/Public Relations with Friends in the West, Seattle, WA, 1987 to 1990
*Worked with a non-profit Christian relief and development agency to raise money for orphanages in East Africa.
* Road manager for the African Childrenʼs Choir as they were traveling and performing throughout North America and Europe.
Project Task Leader at Hughes Aircraft Company, El Segundo, CA, 1982 to 1986
*Supervised team to provide electronic components for the assembly of telecommunications satellites.
Computer Experience
Proficient in using, diagnosing, and trouble shooting Apple computer systems. Proficient in using and teaching multimedia creation programs on the Apple platform.
Personal Interests
Guitar, music, gardening, photography, camping, and family
Attached Word Document file at bottom of page
Reflection on Overall Degree Program
How can I possibly sum up what I have learned in this program? I suppose that I have reflected probably hundreds of times in the course of this program. This program has given me a vision for what technology in education can be. I always knew it could be used to improve instruction and that it had tremendous potential. But I never knew much beyond those vague, general ideas and thoughts.
Years ago I attended a seminar based on Classroom Instruction That Works (Marzano, Pickering, & Pollock, 2001). It was a pivotal learning for me. It both validated what I was already doing in the classroom and encouraged me to go farther. In some ways, the book I read in this program, Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works (Pitler, et al., 2007) sums up what I have gained from this program.
The basis for any implementation of technology is sound instruction that is standards based. Through courses such as EDLD 5306 Concepts of Educational Technology, EDLD 5335 Curriculum Management, and EDLD 5368 Instructional Design a foundation was laid. This foundation was good core instruction and curriculum. This is similar to Response to Intervention (RTI Action Network, 2010), where core instruction is the key.
There were other courses that built on this foundation with specific educational technology. EDLD 5388 Web Development and Design taught me about the importance of an easy to navigate and informative website. Yet I also learned about all the complexities that are behind the scenes. EDLD 5364 Teaching with Technology allowed me to use web 2.0 tools to collaborate on a standards based unit that used constructivist principles and educational technology. And of course, EDLD 5363 Multimedia and Video Technology was engaging but required lots of detail, hard work, and collaboration. I was inspired with the possibilities of multimedia in the classroom.
This final Internship course has made me realize that I really am a facilitator of instructional technology . As I studied the ISTE standards and reflected on the field-based activities, I understood how much of that role I have taken on at my new school assignment this year. It is such a blessing to be at a school that has the technology available to me and my students. Having the complete support of my principal along with the interest and encouragement of the rest of the staff is a wonderful way to end this program. I have the knowledge and the confidence to move forward in my own implementation while training and assisting others on the way.
I can’t reflect on this program without thanking the professors, academic coaches, the IT department, and most of all, my classmates for the support and knowledge they have given me. I am a better educator and person for it. My heartfelt gratitude goes out to all of them.
Three Year Professional Development Plan
I am not planning at this time for any more degree programs such as a doctorate. In fact, being in the final stages of completing this rigorous program, makes it hard to consider what might be next. Educational technology is not just a moving target, it is a rapidly accelerating target. I feel like even now I am barely conscious of all that is available. In order to remain current, I will be taking classes offered by my school district, attending webinars through Digital Directions, and looking out for other learning opportunities.
One of the reasons I wanted to obtain a Masters in Education is to possibly teach at the college level. This is something I will definitely pursue in the next three years. But to be honest, at this time I do not know what, if any, additional training I would need to accomplish that. I have seen classes offered at my local community college offering courses in how to get a certificate for teaching at a community college. So that is a real possibility as an entry-level position.
Finally, I know I want to continue to grow as a technology facilitator and leader. I will seek out opportunities to assist and train other educators in how to implement technology in the classroom. Through my own experiences and learning I will continue to develop as a professional in this area. What training, informal or otherwise, I will need remains to be seen. But make no mistake, I am committed to helping educators harness the power and promise of technology in the classroom.
Appendix (Curriculum Vitae)
Roger W. Dreger
15433 Spinning Avenue, Gardena, CA. 90249
Home: 310-516-7763, Cell 310-612-5343 rcrdreger@sprintmail.com
Education
Lamar University, 2009 to present
*Pursuing Masters of Education in Educational Leadership and Technology, Expected date of completion December, 2010.
UCLA Graduate School of Education, 2000
*Advanced Management Program for School Leadership
Los Angeles Unified School District Intern Program, 1995 to 1997
*California CLEAR Credential for Elementary Education
University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 1978 to 1983
*Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies
Occupations in Education Los Angeles Unified School District, Los Angeles, CA,
Elementary Teacher – Van Deene Elementary School, 2010 to present
*Taught a self-contained 6th grade class as part of a pilot program to return 6th grade classes to elementary campuses.
Intervention Support Coordinator - Dominguez Elementary School, 2009 to 2010
*Developed and implemented a Learning Lab to provide reading remediation to students scoring far below
*Used data to determine eligibility of students and to guide instruction.
*Taught a daily pull out program for the GATE students.
Elementary Math Coach - Bandini St. & Dominguez Elementary Schools, 2006 to 2009
*Instructional coach to improve math instruction of teachers.
*Led staff development trainings, parent education, and district in-services regardingmath instruction.
*Facilitated teachers in gathering and using student data to make instructional decisions
Elementary Teacher - Denker Avenue Elementary School, 1995 to 2006
*Taught California Content Standards in a self-contained classroom.
*Ranked as a “Most Effective” teacher by the Los Angeles Times.
Leadership Experience
Sixth Grade Pilot Program at Van Deene Elementary Schools, 2010 to present
*Selected to participate in pilot program to improve 6th grade student achievement
Administrative Leadership Team at Dominguez Elementary School, 2006 to 2010
*Collaborated with school administrators to improve student achievement and teacher effectiveness.
Lead Science Teacher at Denker Avenue Elementary School, 2004 to 2006
*Responsible for implementation of constructivist science curriculum.
Lead Teacher at Denker Avenue Elementary School for L.E.A.R.N, 1999 to 2001
*Leadership position in school site reform effort involving all stakeholders.
Lead Teacher at Denker Avenue Elementary School for L.A.-S.I., 1997 to 1999
*Participated in the Los Angeles Systemic Initiative in Math and Science to improve math and science instruction.
Road Manager/Public Relations with Friends in the West, Seattle, WA, 1987 to 1990
*Worked with a non-profit Christian relief and development agency to raise money for orphanages in East Africa.
* Road manager for the African Childrenʼs Choir as they were traveling and performing throughout North America and Europe.
Project Task Leader at Hughes Aircraft Company, El Segundo, CA, 1982 to 1986
*Supervised team to provide electronic components for the assembly of telecommunications satellites.
Computer Experience
Proficient in using, diagnosing, and trouble shooting Apple computer systems. Proficient in using and teaching multimedia creation programs on the Apple platform.
Personal Interests
Guitar, music, gardening, photography, camping, and family